Tuesday: Shooting practice

I know I said last night that there wouldn't be anything today for our guys, but that's only because I was focused on the coaches meeting for the NJB Classic. The meeting isn't until 7 p.m., so I'll be at Makiki Park at 5 p.m. if anyone wants to get some shooting reps in.

As for last night, that was a treat to have 13 guys in Thunder uniforms. We've gone from nearly forfeiting games to having a surplus. I tried to get everyone playing time, especially our young guys. We're not in full stride; it takes us awhile to get the tempo going full speed, and our press is rusty. Kind of expected since we rarely have team practices. But we looked good in stretches and I love the way everyone was unselfish with the ball.

Just one actual note worth repeating: stay away from the one-handed passes unless they are fullcourt baseball throws. We had back-to-back one-handed passes get stolen that allowed the Peacemakers to start a run in the second half. The problem with one-handed passes is that it's like watching a bowler. When that ball goes back, everyone in the gym knows where it's going. That fraction of a second is a LONG time for a defensive player. That's why I continue to preach about the evils of these kinds of passes.

Stick to the two-handed passes. They are difficult to read — chest pass? bounce pass? which way is it going? A one-handed pass is trouble. Please stay away from them.

Also stay away from chest passes into the paint against a zone. Too easy to tip.

I really liked our aggressiveness. We played some good defense once we got more used to each other. Defensive chemistry takes time, just like offense.

We also did a pretty good job of moving the ball and shooting the open 3. Remember, if you aren't ready to catch and shoot — hands up and footwork in motion — the open shot as the pass arrives, you miss many opportunities. And you know what I do with guys who don't take open shots. Back on the bench. So do your reps, get your confidence up and let it fly.

Thunderrrr!

Big mahalo to Bulla, Chris and Marcus for their patience and understanding. They know it's important for our young guys to get lots of playing time, but let's remember, if these gentlemen had not suited up for us, we would've forfeited one or two games in this league. To me, they're true ballers who love the game and have great respect for their teammates and opponents. That means more to me than wins and losses and trophies.

Trust and faith

I was really concerned yesterday. Yeah. Half our guys were busy with high school summer league at the same time our game with KKB was going to begin (7 p.m.). Our other guys were busy, too, with Scout Camp, football practice. Some guys are injured. It was very bleak at best, but it's always good to have hope.

Thanks to Max's mom, Drew made it to the game after football practice and played despite an injured ankle. Because the KKB League allows adults to play, Drew's older brother Bulla joined in. We also had Nate play for the first time along with Tai, who we hadn't seen in Thunder orange since the Aiea Blazers tournament a few months back. Then there was Max, who is the youngest player in the league by far. No other eighth graders, period.

So we didn't have to forfeit, I felt relieved and we had some fun. KKB's team was a patchwork group, too. Most of their guys were missing, so they "borrowed" some of the Hawaiian Punch players. We had an entirely different crew from our first game two weeks ago, but there was a lot of great chemistry. It was cool to see the Viena brothers playing together and playing well. Max hit some nice perimeter shots and held his own against the taller, older guys down low. Nate was extremely quick and deceptive with that lefty drive and finish. Tai was tough on defense and in transition — even though we didn't press at all. Drew was his usual solid all-around self inside and on the break, and he even banked in a 3-pointer from 22 feet out. Bulla? The guy was on fire from the 3-point arc and tough underneath, almost always the first man back on defense. He had a lot of stops against KKB's fastbreak. Frankly, he should be playing college basketball somewhere.

It was fun, but I'm just glad we had a team. We'll have more bodies next week now that one of the high school summer leagues is done.

Shoot your 300: Everybody, we got shooting practice Sunday, 3 p.m., Makiki Park. Our next game is Friday, Palolo Gym, 7 p.m.

During the week, I'll be at Makiki Park 5 p.m. daily (with the new basketballs) so you can work on your game. Shooting drills. Ballhandling drills. If we have 10, scrimmage. This is what summer is about. Improve at least 1% every day and you'll be a totally new player within a month, two months, three months.

Check your e-mail

If you don't receive an e-mail with the waiver form, let me know what your address is. Here's what I sent out by e-mail this afternoon. 

Howzit guys. Please have one of your parents sign this waiver form for our league at Palolo (KKB Young Men's League).

Our game this Friday is at 7 p.m. 

Also, there hasn't been strong interest in going to the Big Island for the Kona Stingrays 18U tournament, which is next Thursday. However, if we have 7-8 guys who still want to go, let me know. I'm willing to pay for half the cost, but it's not cheap, probably about $400-450 per player for plane fare, van rental, hotel room, food. If we go and I pay half, then it's roughly $200-225 per player. 

If we don't go, no worries. We've already signed up for the NJB Classic, which is the second week of July. Also, the CAL 15U league begins on Aug. 14. 

See you soon,

Coach Paul

551-1054

Wednesday: Waiver forms

Howzit everybody! Hope you're enjoying summer. It's hot. HOT.

We'll have shooting practice, 3 p.m. at Makiki Park. Everyone who hasn't gotten a waiver form must pick one up and have a parent sign it. If you don't bring it to Friday's game, you will not be able to play.

If you can't make it to practice on Wednesday, let me know (551-1054) and I'll drop it off with you.

Great jerrb, Thunder

Thunder 44, Hawaiian Punch 40, OT
That was fun. I'm glad I got to see a great comeback by our Thunder, down 10, win in OT over Hawaiian Punch. We always have great games with them! Really awesome aloha game for Mo! It was Mo and the smurfs tonight, and you guys came through. Great jerrrb!

Clutch shooting? A lot of guys were clutch, including Kawe, who hit an NBA 3-pointer to tie it with less than a minute left in regulation. He also hit a couple of foul shots down the stretch in OT to put the game out of reach. 

It was fun just watching the game as a coach AND as a fan. 

Tonight's game: 7 p.m.

If you missed the message I sent on Facebook, our game (18U) is at Palolo Gym, 7 p.m. Tonight. Get there at 6:15 for registration and warmups. This is a COMBO team of our 17U and 15U. I'll bring the uniforms, as usual. We are scheduled to play Hawaiian Punch.

See you guys there!

Any questions, I'm at 551-1054. I'll be on my way back from Aiea before the game. I'm covering a football combine until about 5 p.m.

Friday's game: 7 or 8 p.m.

Got word from the league and we will play at either 7 or 8 p.m.

They had seven teams at one point, but two didn't come through with entry fee, and another team has dropped out. So they're down to four teams. The plan is to have a double round-robin. The good news is that with only two games on Fridays, the league can start at 7 p.m. and more players who are also in the high school summer league can make it to the games at Palolo.

I'll post more as I get the info.

Thunder shooting practice Sunday

Howzit everybody. We're set on a first game in the KKB League this coming Friday at Palolo Gym. Game time will be announced soon.

So we'll have shooting practice Sunday, 3 p.m., Makiki Park. The league is 18U, which allows recent graduates all the way down to freshmen. I know a lot of us are busy with summer league, but the games are 6 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, so that might work for your schedules. I just want to be sure we have at least 5 players.

The league will have six teams, five regular-season games and one playoff game. Short league that will end just when the CAL League (Fall) begins in early August.

See you guys at the park tomorrow!